Weather
Northern California Weather: Sacramento Storm Chances Hit 50% Oct. 21-22
SACRAMENTO, CA – Sacramento residents face two days of unsettled weather as showers and thunderstorms become possible Wednesday and Thursday, bringing a 50% chance of precipitation before sunshine ret
By Owen Prescott · 2026-10-21T11:18:49.164Z
SACRAMENTO, CA – Sacramento residents face two days of unsettled weather as showers and thunderstorms become possible Wednesday and Thursday, bringing a 50% chance of precipitation before sunshine returns for the weekend. The changing conditions could affect commutes and outdoor plans across California's capital and surrounding Sacramento County communities.
According to the National Weather Service in Sacramento, showers and thunderstorms are possible Wednesday afternoon and evening, with additional activity Thursday. Afternoon temperatures will remain near 70 degrees before warming into the mid 70s Friday and Saturday.
The unsettled conditions arrive as a Pacific weather system moves into the western United States, bringing increased moisture and rainfall opportunities across portions of California and the Southwest.
Although the Weather Prediction Center has identified excessive rainfall concerns in parts of central and Southern California, Sacramento's local forecast does not establish a specific flash flood threat.
Five Day Sacramento Weather Outlook Wednesday 10/21: Mostly cloudy skies are expected, with afternoon temperatures reaching approximately 71 degrees. Showers and thunderstorms become possible after 4 p.m., with a 30% precipitation chance. Wednesday night brings a 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms, with temperatures falling to around 54 degrees. Rainfall amounts should generally remain below one tenth of an inch, except where thunderstorms produce higher totals.
Thursday 10/22: Another round of showers and thunderstorms is possible, particularly between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. The precipitation chance remains at 50%, with mostly cloudy skies and afternoon highs near 70 degrees. Thursday night carries a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11 p.m., followed by partly cloudy conditions and lows near 52 degrees.
Friday 10/23: Weather conditions improve as mostly sunny skies return to Sacramento. Afternoon temperatures climb to approximately 75 degrees, providing a warmer and drier conclusion to the workweek. Friday night will be clear, with temperatures dropping to around 45 degrees.
Saturday 10/24: Sunshine continues across Sacramento, with afternoon temperatures reaching approximately 73 degrees. No precipitation is indicated in the supplied forecast, making Saturday favorable for outdoor activities. Saturday night will be mostly clear, with temperatures falling to around 47 degrees.
Sunday 10/25: Sunny skies remain in the forecast, with afternoon temperatures climbing to approximately 75 degrees. Dry weather continues through the day, followed by mostly clear conditions and overnight lows near 49 degrees.
What Sacramento Residents Should Expect The most important weather window extends from Wednesday afternoon through Thursday evening, when passing showers and isolated thunderstorms could create wet roads and briefly reduced visibility.
Residents planning outdoor activities should monitor updated forecasts, particularly during Wednesday evening and Thursday's late morning and early afternoon hours.
By Friday, the pattern changes noticeably as clouds decrease and sunshine returns.
Extended Outlook: October 28 November 3 The NOAA Climate Prediction Center's eight to 14 day outlook, issued October 20, favors above normal precipitation across much of California, including the Sacramento region, between October 28 and November 3.
Temperatures across Northern California are generally favored to remain near seasonal averages during the same period.
The outlook does not specify individual storms, rainfall totals or exact daily temperatures.
For Sacramento, the immediate forecast points toward a relatively brief period of unsettled weather before a sunny and mild weekend.